Try setting your bat on your shoulder and relax your elbows to help get your hands into position. [2] X Research source Avoid gripping the bat any higher on the handle since you won’t get as much power out of your swing.
Reach your bat across home plate and see if you can touch the front corner on the other side of home base. If you can’t easily reach it, move closer to the base until you can. You can position your feet slightly wider or narrower depending on what feels the most comfortable for you. While most coaches recommend starting in a square stance, you can also move your front foot further away from the plate to open up and see the ball better. You can also use a closed stance with your front foot closer to the plate. It all depends on what you prefer and feels the most comfortable.
Avoid lifting your back elbow up higher than your front elbow because it will throw you off balance while you’re swinging.
Don’t swing the bat just yet. Since you’re shifting your weight backward, trying to move the bat forward will make you feel off-balanced.
You may also hear this called a “toe tap. ” This movement helps start up your forward momentum so you can swing faster and get the most power from your hit.
Keep your head completely still while you’re swinging. If you look up or away from where you’re swinging, then you may miss or won’t make good contact with the ball. Dropping your back shoulder so it’s lower than your front shoulder can make it easier to swing. [11] X Research source
Keep your hands ahead of the bat, or else you’ll hit the pitch wide and won’t have as much control.
Some players let go of the bat with their back hand at the end of the follow-through. It all depends on what feels best for you. [17] X Research source Complete your swing, extension, and follow-through all in one fluid motion to ensure you hit the ball the furthest and hardest you can.
The size of the strike zone may slightly vary depending on the umpire calling the game. Pay attention to what they’ve called balls and strikes so you can get an idea of where the zone is.